The Real Dunkirk–A Local Story

Perth Remembered–Lanark-D-company. 

 

July 11 1940–Almonte Gazette

Mr. A. Anrep of Almonte, has received a letter from Mr. Ewing Nelson, who spent some time at Mr. Anrep’s home in Almonte several years ago. Mr. Nelson is now with the 10th Infantry Brigade, Anti-Tank/ Company in England. He went through the dreadful retreat to Dunkirk and the subsequent disembarkation he writes as follows:— .

My dear Governor:
It is just good fortune that I am able to sit here and write a letter to you once again because for over three weeks we have been in a perfect hell of heavy bombardments by German artillery and German aircraft.


There were times when we sort of just waited to be either blown to hell or taken prisoner of war by the enemy, as after every move we made to a different position with our guns we were shelled heavily and, to make matters worse, the Germans would flank us on either side until we were almost encircled. There were masses of them all around and hundreds of aircraft to assist.

We have heard so much about our Air Force but we travelled over 500 miles in France and about 600 or more in Belgium and we only saw one lot of Spitfire (7 altogether). Admitted our Air Force was doing something somewhere but we were wishing they were with us!

Our final retreat was, of course, the worst of them all because of the Belgians laying down their arms and so opening the road and stopping us from reaching Dunkirk. We tried first to get to Nieuport but found when we were only 1-2 kilos away that “Jerry” had already occupied that town. We then had orders to get our gun in position and watch for tanks—we were in a garden and had the muzzle poking through a hole we knocked out of a wall. It was a farm we were in and the people of the house were in despair. They had several children with them. Our officers told them that their house and buildings were in danger of being hit by shell fire at any time because of our gun and eight others at intervals along the road. Our artillery were behind us and shelled the town hard. We had to be by the gun all through the day and did night guard over it in turn—one hour and twenty minutes per man.

The enemy had a machine gun not far away which they brought into action at night. It was a lonely job that guard at night, bullets were whizzing by, some hit the gun shield. We were badly shelled all the time but had to stay there. On one occasion the shells came so close we had to run for it—one hit a small building where a horse was and blew it to pieces.

 

Shrapnel was ‘flying about – and fell all around us. Another shell hit one end of the house and the tiled roof of the bam where we slept (when we had a few minutes), fell in just after I had gone in to get my water bottle! The navy gave them a shelling at night from the sea which helped us a lot. We held that place for three days before we moved out a mile or so back to another area.



The Germans had a huge observation balloon up the best part of the day and nobody seemed to be able to fetch it down. There were none of our planes to do the job. However, we were told to get our guns in a position to fire at the balloon. As you probably know these guns fire an armour piercing non-explosive shell (2 lbs.) at a very high speed.

They are effective at 1000 yards. Our Company Commander decided that he wanted to take a shot at it. He fired nine rounds and failed to bring it down. Then he said “Now run
for your lives.” I tried with another chap to bring away the box of ammunition
but we did not get far. They sent over a shower of shells and they were dead on. I threw myself on the ground and after the second one had burst a few yards away, got up and ran till I came to ditch where I dived in again. A whole side of a shell came and fell
beside me. It was an inch thick and solid steel about nine inches in length. It was very hot when I picked it up but I put it on the truck and wanted to keep it as a souvenir if possible.


After that shelling had died down we came up and sat on the roadside for a smoke. At about 8 p.m. we had to move again to another position. This time on a ridge in a field and our targets were German lorries moving about on the other side of a canal about 1700 yards away. Finally, masses of infantry started coming towards us so we fired at them and made them scatter. Then at 9.30 we pulled away from there having loaded our guns on their respective lorries. It was a long convoy and we were heading for Dunkirk.


Some of our infantry consisting of the 1st Battalion of East Surreys, some Black Watch and Gordon Highlanders kept the Jerry at bay till our convoy got away. It was a hell drive
to Le Pans (a fair sized town about 6 miles west of Dunkirk). A German plane had spotted us and as we entered the town, which was being shelled and bombed, we made a good target because of the several buildings and two trains at the station which were all blazing, showed us up. Our driver hit a big lamp standard in the middle of the road right on the promenade. Then came a blinding flash right on the truck behind ours and I was literally blown off our truck into the road. I crouched beside the rear wheel till brick and shrapnel had ceased to fall then got up and heard some yells and groans. One poor chap came and hung on to me—his left arm was shattered and bleeding fast. I gave him water from my bottle and with another chap went into the basement of a building for shelter. There were two killed and one with his leg nearly blown off.


To cut a long story short I may say that we had to walk along a shell swept beach for six miles. We arrived at Dunkirk in early morning where we saw dive bombers at work
on the destroyers which were carrying our men and the French to England. The beach was strewn with Belgian rifles, equipment, British lorries, cars, motorcycles in the sea, on the promenade in hundreds, some riddled with bullets, some burned to a cinder. I saw a big boat strike a mine not far out and sink in less than a minute. German planes were laying them from the air. They bombed the pier which was crammed with soldiers and I saw three British soldiers lying dead.

They followed our destroyer out into the channel,four bombers and three Messerschmitts and we were travelling at full speed, about 35 knots! Up behind came a bomber about 200 feet up! The gunner on the “pompom” gun opened fire and hit him in the right wing— a hole of fire appeared and, soon the plane was ablaze. It wheeled over and dived straight into the sea and disappeared. He brought two bombers down. All the other aircraft wheeled away and left us alone. I said another prayer that time.

When I saw the white cliffs of Dover I nearly wept with joy. H.M.S. Caddington did the trip in two hours. I had had only one slice of bully beef and about four biscuits in the last 48 hours and no sleep’ for that time either– no shave or wash for five days — sleeping was impossible and when we were able to snatch an hour or two we had to sleep with
full equipment including steel helmet boots and everything on. I never had my boots off at all for two weeks.

Dunkirk was the most awful sight as far as ruins were concerned that I ever saw. There is not a single building left standing. An awful sight everywhere—destruction is not
bad enough.

Well Governor, I expect to go on leave from here maybe tomorrow or Wednesday. We get 48 hours leave and then we come back. We are told that we may have another 7 days
later on. We went from Dover to a place called Tenby in S. West Wales for a few days—certainly a beautiful place. I enjoyed two swims there and lots of sleep. We came to this village yesterday from Wales and I am now back with our lot after being sorted out.

I forgot to tell you of the many homes in France and Belgium which were left in a few hours’ notice—all their belongings—furniture, radios, clothes and anything one may need to furnish a home, beautiful religious objects, cloaks, beds, silks, lace tablecloths, bedspreads, food, cigars, wine, crates of beer. On one farm we had to put our gun right in the house. We had to tear down a lovely mantle piece and hack through the wall so that our gun faced the front. It is a terrible thing war and it is pitiful to see the refugees pouring out along the streets— poor old women who can hardly walk.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

 

Carleton Place Boy Brings Down 10th Hun Plane — Daniel Galbraith 1917

The War Children that Tried to Come to Canada–SS City of Benares

 

Looking for Memories of Edith Knowlton

 

Photo 1978

In the early 20s the Barnes Family opened a store in what most people today know as McDonald Sports on Bridge Street almost across from the old  dairy.  It was purchased from the Barnes family who remodelled it with living quarters upstairs. Morna, Doris and Oliver Barnes later moved to George Street and then Clarence Emmerson’s family ran the grocery store. Jack, Ethel and Neil lived on the second floor and later moved to Smiths Falls. After that Mrs. Edith Knowlton continued the grocery business for a number of years. I would like to have her recorded here online.

What do we know about Edith Knowlton from Carleton Place?

1.She bought an illuminated sign and used to advertise community things

2. She understood her customers wanted

3.You could still run a tab at her store

4.You could order your groceries by telephone

5. You could drop in and have a chat and she served fresh coffee and had treats for all her customers at Christmas

6. Her husband ran a farm near Elgin

7. She had a daughter Janet

8. One wall of her store had happy face wallpaper

So what can you add? Please leave comments or email me at sav_77@yahoo.com

 

KNOWLTON, Edith W. (nee Crichton) In hospital, Carleton Place, Ontario, on Tuesday, March 16th, 2004, from earth to eternal rest with God in heaven. Loved wife of the late Charles Knowlton. Loved and remembered by her children, Janet and Allan; her brothers, George and Joe; a gazillion family members and relatives, friends and acquaintances, and last but not least Kaylie-Pup. After cremation, an informal time of visitation and service to remember her will be held at the ALAN R. BARKER FUNERAL HOME 19 McArthur Ave., Carleton Place on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2004 from 1 p.m. with service in the chapel at 2:30 p.m. with the Reverend David Mullin officiating. Edith’s ashes will be interred with her late husband in the family plot. Donations may be made to Carleton Place/Beckwith Community Support. “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

From the Files of The Canadian — Who is This? Where is This?

What is this? From Karen Prytula– LCGS

Lost and Found Carleton Place–Do you Have this?

Where is This?

Can You Read This?

Where is This?

What Would Our Ancestors Think of this? A Hippie Airbnb?

 

 

 

 

The Whiskey Keg Chair of Lanark County

In the 70s there were rumours of a rocking chair with a whisky keg attached beneath the seat somewhere in Lanark County. Of course most thought it was one of Lanark County’s famous yarns started in a living room somewhere with a beer or two and then travelled down the country roads to become a fact– or sort of a fact.

Fallbrook’s own Walter Cameron was consulted about the story and one would think with his then 50 years experience in blacksmithing and wood working he might know a thing or two about the elusive whisky keg rocking chair. Instead he had some tales about different chairs that existed in Lanark County. Take the Cameron chair that is in the picture below. It came into the Cameron family in 1874 and it was said it had been use 15 years prior to that.

 

 

1971 Photo Cameron chair

 

 

In the old days before lead pencils were used to help in the construction of the chair they were marked with a wooden scribe and people used to be asked to sit on a seat and then the chair was made around them. A fine chair it was, but that wasn’t the chair everyone was looking for.

Finally, someone suggested this particular chair might be found in Middleville and the story went that it might just be some sort of wooden box under a chair that Grandpa kept his bottle in for a nip or two or Grandma kept her knitting.

So the story ended in a conclusion that there really was no whiskey keg chair just a simple stovepipe under the chair to keep a magazine or two. In the end we owe it to each other to tell stories and no stories lives on unless someone wants to listen.

 

 

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

This Ram was Ten Yards Long Sir and His Horns Reached the Sky

Should I Stay or Should I Go?–A Tall Lanark County Tale about Wives, Cattle and Tomfoolery

Ashes to Ashes–An October Dark Tale

A Circular Heavenly Tale at the County Fair

They Called it Burn Brae House

 

The Village of Lanark was settled by weavers who made their way from Lanarkshire in Scotland. These early settlers were not farming people, but weavers who had suffered hardships in the home land and decided Canada would be a better place for their family. The story goes that when the first contingent showed up in Lanark there was simply a piece of paper attached to a tree that said “Lanark”.

By 1824 the population was 1,560 and one of the pioneers was John Jamieson and his granddaughter Elizabeth (Bess) who lived in a home on George Street. The house called Burn Brae and is listed as being built in 1843 for A.G. Hall who was the first postmaster in the settlement. It is set on a rise fronted by a stone wall with an ornamental wrought iron fence around it. Close inspection reveals different building periods of the home and the roof line is still original but the ornate porch was added in 1890.

There was once 4 large bedrooms that the Thomas McGuire family lived in at one time and it was McGuire who ran the telegraph office from this home in the 1880s. Mrs. McGuire sold milk and gave out fresh cookies to the local children who came to buy milk for their families from the cow she kept out in the back.

Mrs. Jamieson who bought the home in 1933 lived there with her sister and was one of the local Lanark Village historians. She and co-author  Jessie Anderson compiled the book “The Caldwells of Lanark”. She was a local storyteller and frequently told the tale of the only Jewish wedding in Lanark Village when Abel Cohen’s (local shoemaker) daughter was married who had his business two doors down from Burn Brae. Now the house has been converted into apartments and is up for sale.

 

1973 Photo

2017

MLS®#: 1067039$269,90056 56 GEORGE Street-$269,00056 GEORGE Street-$269,000

DESCRIPTION:Fantastic 4 / 5 Unit investment property in Lanark Village. 3 – 2 bedroom units, 1- 1 bedroom unit, 1- Salon. Tenants pay utilities (heat/hydro). Fully rented, Long term tenants in 2 units. Unit 2 & 3 completely renovated in 2016. New windows throughout, Roof 2011 on back portion. Plenty of parking (paved). Great location, nice large property. Total gross rental income of 32,160.00 Annually. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!!

 

The word Burnbrae is mostly spelled in one word but I found another historical home in New York state also spelled Burn Brae. Nothing to do with Lanark but an interesting story none the less.

 

THE HISTORY

Burn Brae Mansion was built in 1907 by Margaret Ross MacKenzie Elkin as part of the estate of George Ross MackKenzie, third president of the Singer Sewing Machine company, who made his fortune as confidant and advisor to Isaac Merritt Singer, the company’s founder.

Upon George’s death in 1892, with an estate valued at $3.5 million, seven of his children built elaborate summer mansions in Glen Spey. Margaret and her husband Charles Elkin built Burn Brae Mansion as the last family mansion and one of only three still surviving. It is believed that the house was designed by prominent architect Henry J. Hardenberg, who worked on a number of projects for Singer executives.

Margaret continued her father’s tradition of donating to many charities, and she enjoyed throwing lavish parties. She outlived several of her children, as did her parents, including her daughter Elsey, named for her grandmother, who died at 9; her namesake Margaret; Charles Jr. who died at 34; and grandbaby Levi, who died upon birth.

Charles Elkin was an engineer and inventor and held several patents including the Elkin Hose Clamp and for the mouthpieces on pipes and cigars. He also had a spring water bottling works behind the mansion near the woods. He was an accomplished organist.

Burn Brae Mansion has had five owners since the Elkins, and over the years it has served as a boarding house, a tea room during prohibition, and a bed and breakfast. The current owners, Mike and Pat Fraysse, have lovingly restored the character of the home and brought back many of the original elements. They currently operate the house as a bed and breakfast, along with a 12-room motel on the site of the former horse stables.

At least the last two owners – whose combined ownership spans more than four decades – and their guests, have reported unexplained occurrences, such as doors opening and slamming, children’s voices, balls bouncing, and the apparitions of a woman in white, a man in turn of the century clothing, and a more modern man in overalls. Visitors also often report the sounds of animals when no animals are present and the distinct sound of an organ playing, when there is no organ in the house.

More recently, an elderly couple in their 90s, the Hapijs, both died in the house. Guests say that they can still see them from the front yard playing chess by the big window, hear his classical music and smell her daily baking.

 Burn Brae Mansion

573 High Road
Glen Spey, NY 12737

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

History Still Lives on at The McEwen House in Beckwith

The House of Daughters –Stonecroft House

Update on The Manse in Beckwith

The Manse on the 7th Line of Beckwith

Home and Garden Before Home and Garden Magazine

The James Black Homestead

The Mysterious Riddell— H B Montgomery House

The Wall Mysteries of Lake Ave East -Residential Artists

The Manse on the 7th Line of Beckwith

Rescuing the Money Pits —The Other Dunlop Home with the Coffin Door

The Carleton Place House with the Coffin Door

Before and After in Carleton Place –The Doctor is in!

Heh Miss Wilsonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! Carleton Place Heroe

Was This the Architect of the Findlay Homes on High Street?

The Carleton Place House That Disappeared

The McCarten House of Carleton Place

Old McRostie Had a Farm in Carleton Place

Time Capsule in the ‘Hi Diddle Day’ House?

The Louis on Sarah Street for $43,500 — Before and After– Architecture in Carleton Place

Memories of Mississippi Manor

Day in the Life of a 70’s Pattie Drive Home – The Stay at Home Mom Era

Architecture Stories: The Hotel that Stompin’ Tom Connors Saved

Dim All The Lights — The Troubled Times of the Abner Nichols Home on Bridge Street

The Brick Houses of Carleton Place

So What Happened to The Findlay House Stone?

The Stanzel Homes of Carleton Place

The Appleton Chinchilla House

 

The Miracles of Potton Springs

Photo–CardCow Vintage Postcards

In 1828 Bolton Spring noted for its medicinal properties was discovered in North Potton, Quebec on the farm of William Green. Its value as a remedial agent wasn’t realized until 1844 when it was used in a case of scrofula. Scrofula was a form of tuberculosis of the neck, and when word got out  about the cure people came to drink from this miracle water.

 

Potton White Sulphur Springs, Que Quebec Canada-BANQ-CP 15995 CON–0002645701–1926

 

Local legend goes that 14 year-old Nathan Banfill discovered these waters looking for a drink at the bottom of a cliff at the base of Peeve Mountain.  Little did Banfill know that such a huge gush of sulphur water from three springs would become popular in the future and people would come to enjoy its benefits for miles. I remember as a little girl, my grandparents would take me to this small covered bubbling spring out in the middle of nowhere in the Eastern Townships and the air smelled like rotten eggs. My grandparents filled up a couple of milk jugs with the smelly water, but I wanted no part of it, and I had no idea what it was similar to young Nathan Banfill.

 

Association du patrimoine de Potton–Potton Springs Hotel. Circa 1900. A lovely picnic.

 

One must remember that in 1830 the north of Potton Township was slow to be settled, the local roads were scarcely passable, and the area very uneven for people to come and visit the future spa culture. It wasn’t until 1862 that the upper class folks came to enjoy what C.F. Haskell from Stanstead had named Mount Pleasant Springs.  After several variants of Haskell’s title for the area were forgotten, Potton Springs became the official name.

In 1875, the Potton Springs Hotel was built by ancestor N.H. Green and word spread internationally about the sulphur water’s supposed healing properties. Eastern Townships historian Gerard Leduc has written that there was possibly another structure before Green’s building as it seems he might have built his first building on top of a former field stone foundation. Merely two years later, the new hotel took advantage of the extension of the railway line of the Missisquoi and Black Rivers Valley Company. The hotel was purchased by J. A. Wright who supplied it with electricity from a generator and seeing the potential of his investment opportunity he enlarged it  in 1912 to accommodate 75 guests.

Potton Springs Hotel. Circa 1915–Association du patrimoine de Potton

At a rate of two dollars per day visitors afflicted with liver, stomach, kidney or urinary tract ailments were among those who could expect help and “female diseases” were reported to be greatly benefited by the use of the waters and baths.


Three sulphur springs originated from a deep aquifer, and the waters were tapped from the mountain springs into a wooden tank and delivered to the hotel below only by gravity. Baths could be taken in a variety of forms, including shower, sitting, and spray, and word was even a pool fed by the springs was available.

Sulphur baths were given for the care of rheumatism or eczema and sulphuric mud packs were applied to troublesome joints. The day at a sulphur spa would begin by drinking as much water as they could, followed by breakfast. After lunch, the guests would take a nap followed by four o’clock tea and a walk in the woods as only a Victorian era lady could possibly attempt.

 

Potton Sulphur Springs Hotel after asron fire, December 1934–Interclik

 

They say people drank it, bathed in it, and even brought it home similar to my Grandparents who did the same in the 50s. The spa flourished and the McMannis Hotel which was situated at the corner of Mountain Road and Route 243, did an excellent business with the seasonal patrons who journeyed to Potton Springs. Business began to decline at the end of the 1920s, during the Great Depression and J. A. Wright finally sold the establishment to F. Larin in 1930, but a fire, (possible arson was mentioned) gutted the hotel in 1934.

 

From McGill Studies

 

BANQ–CP 041745 CON–0005019568– 1926

 

They say there isn’t much left of Potton Springs today, and only a few deteriorating remaining foundations have been left exposed to the elements. The foundation made from Lennoxville bricks remain, but even the 6-7 metre Potton Springs Hotel sign that was found by the new owners was stolen in 1990.

Potton Springs is now private property owned by la Fondation Poorna-Jnana Yoga and moments you try to put into words no longer exist. When I look at these old photos it’s pretty overwhelming, memories are now devastation, and there are no longer the original buildings to speak for themselves. Someone asked me if I had ever been there and seen the remains, and if I had a time machine a million memories would now flash through my mind. But, we can never go back and now the only clues to what happened at Potton Springs only remain in photographs and the carvings among the rocks.

 

Masonic etching 1863- Youtube

 

 

 

 

 

Clipped from The Caledonian-Record,  21 Aug 1920, Sat,  Page 5

 

From McGill Studies

 

1919 ad Burlington Free Press

 

From McGill Studies

Short History of the Potton Springs.

1000-1400 Petroglyphs carved on rock in area. Ancient religious sites established in various other locations in the valley (including possibly Potton Springs) that demonstrate a ritual and observance of natural cycles, the solstices.

1400-1800 Native American presence in the area. Ancient Burial mounds may refer to a larger scale geometry, which includes the springs and the above mentioned solstice sites.

1828 “Colonial”discovery of the sulphur springs on land owned by the Green family.

1844 A cure is announced using water from the springs

1862 Ministers from the surrounding townships organise a ceremony at the spring and name it Mount Pleasant Spring

1862 Date of some engravings on the protruding stone above springs. Included are several names and free masonic symbols.

1875 First hotel built on the site by NH Green

1877 Missisquoi and Black Valley Railway Co. extends the rail line from Huntington Mines in Eastman to Potton Springs.

1888 Orford Mountain Railway extend the rail line 4.6 miles

1906 OMR extends the line to Mansonville (the largest town in the Potton township)

1934 The Potton Spring Hotel burns down, leaving the foundations, chimney, barns and servant quarters.

1997 Servant quarters/hall burns down

2000 Site bought by Meditation/Religious Group- la Fondation Poorna-Jnana Yoga 

From McGill Studies

rs/hall burns down
2000 Site bought by Meditation/Religious Group

 

New secrets revealed at Potton Springs

POTTON SULPHUR SPRINGS HOTEL

PERSONAL MEMORIES

Interview with Gerard Leduc–Click Here

 

 

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

 

 

Where Were the Miracle Salt Springs in Pakenham? I Love a Challenge!

Whale Sightings Outside Smiths Falls– Part 2

 

The Argue Hardware Ruler Comments

 

 

Photo–Just sold on EBay for 26 bucks.. An Argue Hardware yardstick– 1930’s WOOD YARDSTICK; ARGUE HARDWARE, CARLETON PLACE ONT. (CANADA). YARDSTICK IS WITH WEAR/SOILING/FADING, BUMPED CORNERS. HOLE DRILLED AT ONE END. MADE BY CANADIAN RULER, BEDFORD, QUE.

 

 

 

Doug B. McCarten– OMG we had one of those at home! Chess and Helen were terrific friends of our family! Helen was my Dad’s secretary for many years!! Who knew?? Lol

Jan McCarten Sansom– I still have it lol …was it on your list??😍😫

Doug B. McCarten– Jan McCarten Sansom hahahaha nah, it’s okay, enjoy 😊!

Doug B. McCarten– The hole was purposeful for hanging on a nail.

Karen Fleming Ferguson– We have this one still. One side.

Doug B. McCarten-– Eades Hardware, of course took over the business from Chess Argue!

 

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston Still have one.

Ray Paquette– I will take umbrage with the supposed date of the 1930’s! Ches Argue bought the store from Roy Gilmour in the 1950’s after he moved his family to Carleton Place from Leaside I believe. Some of your more mature correspondent can probably collaborate this. I was in school with Judy and Bill played ball for my Dad before going off to RMC.

Linda Seccaspina– It was the date quotes by the seller.. I try to stay out of that stuff LOL

Joann Voyce– Seller lied. Argue Hardware started in 1950/1951

Llew Lloyd —The Argue yardstick shown in the original photo was the Cadillac model . My father hung a lot of wallpaper in this town and the yardstick was one of the essential tools of the trade . Much like fabric , wallpaper came in rolls and there were so many yards in a roll . The estimate was done in yards. Once the job started the wallpaper was rolled out on the pasting board and the measuring and cutting of the individual strips was done with the yardstick . On the home front there was always a yardstick on the frame above the kitchen door . Those of you who remember the threat of the wooden spoon will easily guess the yardsticks other use.

 

Mary Ann Gagnon– Judy and Bill’s mum was Helen Argue….she was the secretary at the high school for years before and during my dad’s reign there…

Doug B. McCarten– Most loved CPHS secretary!

Hazel Stewart-Huneault– I have one that belonged to my grand father. GEO. W. EADES LTD
Phone 1581
Old, but not sure how old.
When did Eades take ownership?

Doug B. McCarten– Talk about customer service, my Mom once bought a hand mixer for $2 but didn’t like the colour of the wooden handle so they painted it for her at no additional charge! Now that’s customer service!!

Just a note that I just finished tomorrows instalment on Main Street and read that Argue’s Hardware store had nothing to do with Eades. Argues Hardware was next to the Dominion Store which used to be Bailey’s grocery Store and Chester came in and took this small store over and employed James Patterson, Harry Crawford and Wilbert Giles. In two nights we will do Argue’s grocery store which used to be where the Granary was. But all that’s coming up…

 

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

 

 

Memories of Argue’s Food Market?

The Granary in Your Backyard — Dena Comley

 

 

 

Galetta Fire and Names Names Names

 

Galetta Woolen Mill and Power Plant

[from “Beyond Our Memory” by Fitzroy Township Historical Society]

February 28 1908– At an early hour on Sunday morning the general store building, occupied by Mr. J . J . Rigrose at Galetta, was totally destroyed by fire, along with all its contents. Both the building and stock are insured, but the amounts are not known. The stock destroyed is variously estimated from $4,000 to $6,000, whilst the store building and storehouses attached would be worth at least $1,000.

Mr. Ringrose had up to a short time ago resided over his store but having contemplated leaving Galetta and going to Sand Point had his household effects in the latter place. The building belonged to Mr. Wilbur S . Beswick of Galetta.

 

James Steen built a mill at the falls and the area was renamed Steen’s Falls. Hubbell later re-acquired the rights but subsequently re-sold those rights to James Galetti Whyte who began woolen manufacturing. The village name was changed to Galetta (after Whyte’s mother’s name).

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  14 Apr 1900, Sat,  Page 10

 

 

Killed By A Train–Unknown Man Found on the Railway Track Near Galetta
On Thursday morning, Mr. A. McRae section man at Galetta, found the body of a man lying across the rail on the G.T.R. half a mile west of Galetta station, the legs being entirely separated from the body. He notified Fred Remus, foreman, who recognized the deceased as a man he met 4 miles west of the station at about six o’clock the evening before, and who told him he was on his way to South March to work on the ranges. He was a man about 5 feet 6 inches high, fair complexion and fair moustache. Coroner G.H. Groves, of Carp, was notified, and was taken to the scene by Mr. J.A. Evoy. The coroner held an inquest in the waiting room of the Galetta station.

From the evidence, the jury in less than half an hour decided that deceased who was unknown to anyone present, came to his death by being run over by the freight train going east, and passing Galetta at 7:15 p.m. Monday night, as shown by the records of station agent, Mr. James W. Ritchie. No blame was attached to any person. Besides 30 cents found in the pocket of deceased, there was also a little oval Roman Catholic emblem an inch long. The deceased was buried at Fitzroy Harbour on Wednesday.– October 2, 1913--Huntley Historical Society

 

Perth Courier, July 24, 1896

STYLES—Died, in the Mississippi River, Galetta on Sunday morning, July 12, William Styles, son of James Styles of accidental drowning, aged 19.

 

 

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)